Period
May – October
SWEDEN, NORWAY AND FINLAND
Self Drive holiday Lapland explorer
This Self Drive package ‘Lapland Explorer’ covers the Northern parts of Sweden, Norway and Finland. In 15 days you will explore and drive through some of the world’s most unique landscapes. Experience culture, nature, traditions and taste from local deliciousness.
The route starts in Luleå, the biggest city in Swedish Lapland. After a good night sleep you had North along the Torne river, literally the Sweden-Finland border. In the picturesque fishing village Kukkola you will have the time to taste the classic grilled with fish and enjoy the traditional scenery before continuing to Finish Lapland. The route proceeds into open fells from Luosto to Levi until the highest Finnish fell landscape in Kilpisjärvi. The border city of the three Nordic countries.
Sweden, Norway and Finland
In Norway the postcard-perfect Lyngen Fjord is waiting for you, driving along the coastline you will be amazed by the beauty of nature. Spending a night in Tromsø, allows you to discover the bustling city. It’s Arctic history and rich culture before proceeding to the second biggest Norwegian island and hidden gem, Senja.
After Senja the route leads back to Sweden, passing the national border where you will stay 2 nights in the small mountain village of Abisko. You will learn more about the Sàmi culture and traditions, visit the world famous Icehotel and Treehotel before returning to Luleå. After this 15-day journey, you will find your driving holiday not only precious also adventurous!
Discover the explorer in yourself during this unique ‘Lapland Explorer’ Self Drive holiday.
Highlights Lapland Explorer
- Experience the contrast of Lapland within the Arctic Circle in three Nordic countries
- Explore national parks as Abisko in Sweden and Pyhä-Luosto in Finland
- Discover the lifestyle of the biggest Nordic-Arctic cities in Luleå, Rovaniemi and Tromsø
- Venture the photoshopped-like nature in Luosto, Abisko, Senja and Lyngen Fjord
- Cross borders of three countries in 30 seconds at Three-Country Cairn in Kilpisjärvi
- Learn more about the indigenous Sámi culture in Jokkmokk and Jukkasjärvi
- Taste local food: smoked whitefish, cloud berries, Swedish fika, reindeer and moose
- Pamper yourself with the never-set midnight sun in summer or Northern lights in autumn
- Visit the world-renowned Santa Claus Village and Meet Polar Bears in Ranua Wildlife Park
- Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site Gammelstad Old Church Town
- Indulge with Scandinavia design: Icehotel and Treehotel
ITINERARY
Self Drive holiday | Lapland Explorer | 15 days / 14 nights
Self Drive holiday Lapland explorer, 2000 km in 15 days
DAY 1 – Welcome to Luleå, gateway to Lapland (driving distance: 7km)
Arrival at Luleå airport and start of your Self Drive holiday Lapland Explorer! Our local guide will greet you and assist with getting your one of the latest models of Volvo rental car at the airport. On the short drive to your hotel, you will be welcomed by the impressive Luleå River. When crossing the bridge connecting Luleå with the southern mainland. Spent the night in Luleå city center.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Luleå.
DAY 2 – Delicacies along the Torne River (driving distance: 158 km)
After breakfast, your journey starts towards Haparanda before reaching the cultural fishing place Kukkolafors. This picturesque village is located alongside the Torne River, which forms the border of Sweden and Finland. Here you can taste the local speciality ‘smoked whitefish’ by the perfect rapids scenery.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Kukkola.
DAY 3 – Santa Claus & the Arctic Circle (driving distance: 350 km)
Today you will cross the Arctic Circle of Finland. You first cross the border in Haparanda, continuing to Ranua. You can see Polar bears and a big variety of arctic animals in the Ranua Wildlife Park. After that, you drive north to the direction of the hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi. The route continues northeast until Luosto, the edge of the intriguing wilderness Pyhä-Luosto National Park in the middle of Finnish Lapland. Tonight you will stay in a atmospheric log village.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel or a log cabin in Luosto.
DAY 4 – The World’s only public Amethyst mine (driving distance: subject to your plan of the day)
Today you will spend your time to enjoy this small Finnish arctic village of Luosto. Close to the village you will find the world’s only Amethyst Mine that is op en for the public. The Luosto fells is 514 meters above sea level comparing most of Finland is either flatland or lakes. The village itself presents its untouched natural beauty. You will feel the clock ticks slower in Luosto when you walk between the ancient forest and lakes. Maybe you will come across some reindeer roaming through the woods.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel or a log cabin in Luosto.
DAY 5 – Up to the highest fells of Finland (driving distance: 410 km)
The journey continues to the northwestern part of Finland, towards Kilpisjärvi, the highest fells area of Finland. The tundra landscape of Kilpisjärvi offers the magnificent contrast of the nature. In Autumn, if you are lucky, you can also see the reflection of northern lights on the surface of crystal-clear lakes during the evenings.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Kilpisjärvi.
DAY 6 – Cross 3 Nordic countries in seconds (driving distance: 118km)
Kilpisjärvi, being the most northwest of Finland, is the intersection of Norway and Sweden. You may want to take a short trip to the border of the three Nordic countries. Join a bout tour, followed by a short hike to reach the Three-Country Cairn. The monument of the three countries’ border. The route continues to Norway. You will drive along the spectacular Lyngen Fjord, where you will find unique scenery of deep fjords and high mountains.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Lyngseidet
DAY 7 – A jewel of a Norwegian fjord (driving distance: subject to your plan of the day)
Waking up between the lush valleys, you may be already eager to explore the Lyngen Peninsula and the Lyngen Fjord. A large part of the Lyngen Peninsula is incorporated into the Lyngsalpan Landscape Protection Area. The area offers a wide range of nature activities. Like mountain biking, hiking under the midnight sun, whale safaris, fishing and bungee jumping.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Lyngseidet.
DAY 8 -The largest city of Northern Norway (driving distance: 76 km)
Today you proceed to the largest city of Northern Norway, Tromsø. The bustling city offers superb opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and whale safaris. Popular attractions include the Arctic Cathedral, the Polaria experience centre, and the Polar Museum.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Tromsø, Norway.
DAY 9 – Landing the second largest Norwegian Island (driving distance: 122km + ferry)
After breakfast, you will drive west to the destination of the day – the idyllic Senja. You will first proceed towards Brensholmen, where you need to take the “Malangsforbindelsen ferry” to Botnhamn. A small village of only 500 residence by the Stønnesbotn Fjord. The ferry trip itself, although only 45 mins long, is a stunning scenic journey across the Malangen strait.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Senja.
DAY 10 – Hidden gems of Senja (driving distance: subject to your plan of the day)
Today you can have a relax morning and take your time to explore Senja Island. There are numerous of activities provided by your local host and viewpoints along the Senja roads. To get to know this beautiful wild island properly, you can simply take a short hike to discover some hidden gems. Senja is packed with mountain tops, but each of them will give you a different perspective of the island and the winding coastline.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel in Senja.
DAY 11 – Stunning Swedish alpine (driving distance: 272km)
Your journey of today will cross the border back to Sweden. You first proceed to Narvik, one of the important Norwegian iron ore export ports. Later you will enter Sweden at Riksgränsen. Going forward, you will reach the enchanting Swedish Alpine region, Abisko.
Accommodation, mountain station (hotel style room) or similar to a 4-star hotel in Abisko.
DAY 12 – Abisko National park (driving distance: subject to your plan of the day)
Today you can spend the day according your wishes. There is a lot to discover in the Abisko National Park. You can choose between short and longer walking tours in the area. At the Naturum Abisko you find exhibitions and staff who can inform you about the national park. You may also savour a cup of boiled coffee in the Aurora Sky Station, 900 meter above sea level, while you are bird-viewing the magnificent scenes.
Accommodation, mountain station (hotel style room) or similar to a 4-star hotel in Abisko.
DAY 13 – Jokkmokk and the mining city (driving distance: 320km)
Early morning as today is a lot to explore! Start driving through the Abisko Valley to the mining city Kiruna and the world famous ICEHOTEL. The ICEHOTEL is an art exhibition made of ice and snow, it is reborn in a new guise every winter. In 2016 a whole new ice experience was launched. ICEHOTEL 365 – a permanent structure including rooms sculptured by selected artists. As well as a large ice bar and ice gallery. This ice experience can be visited year-round and is cooled by solar panels during the summer months. Your destination for today will be in the village of Jokkmokk. Jokkmokk is a natural meeting place for Sámi people from all over Swedish Lapland. Since 1606 – for more than four hundred years – the colourful Jokkmokk market has been celebrated annually.
Accommodation, 4-star hotel Jokkmokk
DAY 14 – Breahtaking Storforsen and Treehotel (driving distance: 160km)
Let yourself be carried away by the thundering river in nature reserve Storforsen. The Pite River is one of the four unharnessed National Rivers of Sweden and the rapids are one of the biggest unrestricted water rapids in Europe. The river is stretching 400 kilometres from its glacial source to the sea. It’s an easily accessible nature reserve that fits all. There are information signs, hiking trails and picnic areas. In the midday your journey continues to the world famous Treehotel.
Accommodation at Treehotel guestroom – double bed room with bathroom. Optional upgrade to Design Tree Rooms with supplement from SEK4,500 per room. Optional stay in a River Cabin of Arctic Bath instead of Treehotel with supplement SEK4,550 per room.
DAY 15 – Bring your memory home (driving distance: 98km)
Before saying goodbye, we highly recommended to visit the UNESCO word heritage site Gammelstad Church Town. The old church town is more than 400 years old and is located about 10 km more inland then Luleå. It is the districts’ main cultural symbol which it keeps the same style as a few hundred years ago.
Return your rental car at the airport prior to your return flight. Have a safe journey home!
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